Bottle holder and carrier



Aprill 4, E95@ Filed June 25, 1948 G. M. ACTON BOTTLE HOLDER AND CARRIER 2 Sheets-Sheet l 45 l 57 6o 5e j; ,6- 6 55 62 30 63 3f 5o 45 l 3 3332 A i Y 'Y i 7.3777 zo g '44 24 l 5 l r/ 4a 39 2 l :m ,8 5 Zsnvcnto l f4 "5 y @mf /W #ffm n A, Bg I l 4 Z 24 @www .(5 i7 Gttorllegs Aplri 4, 1195@ G, M, ACTQN 2,532,690

BOTTLE HOLDER AND CARRIER Filed June 25, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 wif. 4,

Patented Apr. 4, 1950 BOTTLE HOLDER AND CARRIER Grant M. Acton, Arkansas City, Kans., assigner to Acton Manufacturing Company, Inc., Arkansas City, Kans., a corporation of Kansas Application June 23, 1948, Serial No. 34,768

4 Claims.

rihis invention relates to bottle holders and carriers` and more particularly to a device for holding and carrying bottles used for beverages such as soft drinks and the like, the principal objects of the invention being to provide a bottle holder and carrier adapted for use with bottle handling machines such as automatic bottle case unloaders and for transporting bottles of beverage as when carrying them from retail stores.

There have been various types of bottle carriers made of paper, berboard, wire and sheet metal for carrying bottled beverage from retail stores to the customers home. Such carriers are used for taking empty bottles back to the store where the empties are removed and full bottles from cases or coolers placed in the carrier for the purchaser to again carry home. The empties are placed vin wooden cases and returned to the bottling plant where they are removed from the cases by automatic bottle case unloaders and processed. The cases are then moved through an automatic loading machine Which places filled bottles into the cases.

Further objects of the present invention are7 therefore, to provide a carrier of such size and shape that a plurality of same t in the usual wooden case, which is minus the conventional separators whereby the bottles need only be removed from the carrier at the bottling plant and in the home for use; to provide a carrier structure characterized by the absence of projecting ribs or fastening devices whereby complete en gagement oi the side and end walls thereof with the case and adjacent carriers is obtained;V to provide a carrier of suitable material forming a rigid .Structure capable of continued use in automatic machines and for all transportation, storage and cooling of the bottled beverage; to provide a bottle carrier adapted for quick and easy placing and removing of bottles, said bottles being held in semirigid position avoiding break" then the carriers are handled by automat-ic equipment; to provide a bottle carrier adapted for containing severalbottles and having a body member structure stamped and formed from a single sheet of material; to provide a carrier and bail structure in which the bail is adapted for engagement with suitable holddowns on autom matic bottle case unloaders to transmit pressure to the body ci" the carrier during removal ci the bottles therefrom, said bail structure adapted for telescoping into the carrier allowfilled carriers to be stacked. and to provide carrier consisting of relatively few nieces that may be quickly and easily manufactured and assembled into a compact, sturdy and eiiicient being device for carrying and holding beverage bottles during transportation and use with automatic machines in bottling plants.

In accomplishing these and other objects ci the present invention, I have provided improved details of structure, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of the improved bottle carrier.

Fig. 2 is a transverse section View through the carrier taken on the line 2-2, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a partial longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 3 3, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the body member after the blanking operation and prior to the forming or bending operation to complete same.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

l designates a bottle carrier and holder generally consisting of a body member 2 and a top spacer 3. The body member is cut from a single piece of sheet metal or the like and formed by suitable dies. The blank 4 as illustrated in Fig. 4 is preferably substantially rectangular in shape and includes a central portion 5 which forms the bottom of the carrier deiined by parallel longitudinal bend lines 5 and 1 and transverse bend lines El and 9, said bottom being of suitable size to accommodate the desired number of bottles which. in the illustrated structure is six, two rows in width and three rows in length. The blank is provided with notches lo extending 4inwardly from the end edges i l and I2 of the blank and llongitudinally thereof substantially in alignment with the bend lines 5 and 1, said notches terminating in semicircular ends IS spaced inwardly relative to the bend lines and 9 approximately one-fourth of the total length of the bottom memberV 5. The adjacent sides of the notches form the side edges it and l5 of end members i6 and il defined by the bend line 8 and end edge li l and bend line 9 and end edge l2 respectively. The bend lines 6 and 'l are spaced from the side edges I8 and i9 of the blank to dene opposed side walls 20 and 2l, coextensive with the bottom 5. The side walls have en d portions 22, 23, 2li and 25 respectively dened by bend lines 26, 2l, 28 and 29 aligned with the bend lines 8 and 9. The side wall 3E and end portions 22 and 23 are provided with a bend line Bil spaced slightly from and parallel with the side edge i8 to form a flange 3| .and the side wall 2l and end portions 24 and 25 are provided with Va b end line 32 parallel with the side edge i9 of the blank to form a flange 33. The end members it and i1 are provided with a plurality of tangs 34 formed by arcuate cuts 35, said tangs being adapted for cooperation with slots 36 in the end portions of the side members for assembly of the carrier. The end portions and side members are also provided with slots 31 for use in assembling the carrier as later described.

Formed in the bottom during the blanking operations are a plurality of circular portions 38 forming seats for the bottles adapted to be received in the carrier. A rib 39 is arranged on the longitudinal center of the bottom 5 and may be stamped upwardly therein during the blanking operation, spaced bosses 40 extending upwardly in said bottom formed by enlarged poi'- tions of said rib and adapted to align with the end of the bail member as later described.

The body member is shaped by bending the flanges 3| and 33 upwardly and inwardly to fold same against the inner surface of the Side and end portions forming a rounded edge thereon and providing a finished appearance, eliminating sharp edges and stiffening the sides and end portions to provide a suitable rigidity therein. The end members I6 and l1 are bent upwardly on the bend lines 8 and 9 and the side members 29 and 2| are bent upwardly on the bend lines 6 and 1. The end portions 22, 23, 24 and 25 are bent upwardly whereby bending of the side members upwardly causes the end portions to overlie the end members I6 and |1. The tangs 34 are turned outwardly and extend through the slots 36, said tangs being flattened against the outer surface of the end portion, this flattening process pressing a portion of the end portions into the openings formed in the end members upon cutting and bending the tangs therefrom, forming interlocking portions which prevent any movement of the respective parts.

The top spacer 3 is cut from a single piece of sheet metal or the like and formed by a suitable die. The spacer consists of a horizontal panel 4| substantially the same size as the bottom 5. The side edges of said spacer are turned upwardly as at 42 to form upwardly extending flanges 43 and 44, adapted to be inserted between the flanges 3| and 33 and the inner faces of the respective side members and engage the inner surface of the bends and 32 thereon. In the same manner, the end edges of the spacer are turned upwardly as at 45 to form upwardly extending fianges 46 adapted to be inserted between the flanges at the upper edges of the end portions and engage the inner surface of the bend thereof.

The horizontal panel 4| is cut and formed to provide apertures`48 substantially in alignment with the embossed portions 38 in the bottom and are of suitable size for receiving and supporting bottles. The edges of the apertures 48 are turned downwardly to form flanges 49 to provide additional surface contact between the top spacer and the bottles received in the carrier. The edges of each of the apertures 48 are preferably provided with recesses 50 arranged substantially tangentially of the respective apertures and parallel with the sides and ends of the carrier. This structure provides four recesses for each aperture whereby spring fingers on automatic bottle case loaders may engage in said recesses to aid in guiding the bottle into the respective apertures, the recesses being of suitable width to accommodate the width of the fingers. Tangs 5| are preferably cut in the flanges 43, 44 and 45 and project outwardly from the horizontal panel 4| in alignment with the slots 31 for assembling the parts as later described.

The carrier is provided with a handle or bail formed of wire or the like of suitable size and stiness to withstand longitudinal pressure on the members thereof without any bending. The bail consists of a bar member 52, the end of which is curved downwardly as at 53 forming substantially ogee curves and terminating in downwardly extending vertical members 54. The members 54 are spaced substantially the same as the spacing between the bottle apertures 48 whereby said vertical members are slidably mounted in apertures 55 arranged on the longitudinal center of the top spacer 3 and equally spaced from the geometric center of said panel for equal distribution of weight on said bail, said apertures 55 also being in vertical alignment with the bosses 4D in the rib 39.

In order to provide additional support for the bail and top spacer a reinforcing member' 55 is secured thereto, said reinforcing member being formed of sheet metal and consisting of a horizontal wall 51 provided with upwardly extending flanges 58, of suitable size to substantially lie between the flanges 49 of the top spacer. The flanges 58 are shorter in height than the flanges 49 whereby the wall 51 is parallel with the panel 4| and is arranged above the lower edge 59 of the flanges 49, the edges 59 being turned inwardly to crimp the reinforcing member in place. The wall 51 of the reinforcing member is provided with apertures 60 in alignment with the apertures 55 and adapted to slidably mount the vertical members 54 of the bail. The apertures 55 and B0 are of such size that there is sliding engagement between said aperture and the vertical member 54. To provide further support for the vertical members, the panel 4| and the wall 51 are provided with upwardly and downwardly struck portions 5| and 52, respectively, substantially conical in shape whereby the apertures 55 and 50 have greater spacing than the panel 4| and wall 51, this spaced engagement with the vertical member 54 providing adequate support for the bail.

The vertical members 54 of the bail are provided with lugs 63 adapted to be moved into engagement with the lower face of the downwardly struck portion 62 to support the weight of the bottles and carrier when being carried by the bail. The vertical members 54 are of such length that when the lugs 63' are in engagement with the downwardly struck portion B2 of the reinforcing member 55, the bar member 52 is above the caps of the bottles to provide sufcient clearance between the said caps and the bar member for insertion of a hand of a person to permit the carrier to be transported without danger of scratching the hand or fingers on the tops of said bottles.

The relationship of the length of the vertical members and the other portions of the carrier are such that when the bail is moved downwardly in telescoped position the lugs 63 engage the top flat faces 54 of the bosses 4D, and the bar 52 of the bail lies below the upper ends or caps of the bottles. The bottom of the lugs 63 are flat to provide substantial supporting engagement between the lugs and the faces 94 tending to maintain the lower ends of the vertical members 54 centered thereon when downward pressure is applied to the handles. The height of the bosses 40 and the bail is such that when the lugs engage the faces 64 the bar member 52 is accurately positioned below the top of the bottles in the carrier and in position for engagement with a suitable device on an automatic bottle case unloader to apply pressure to the bosses 40 holding the carrier down as bottles are removed by the unloading devices in the machine.

1n assembling a carrier of parts constructed as described the reinforcing member 56 is arranged between the flanges 5l) and the top spacer 3 with the apertures 55 and 6B in alignment. The lower edges 59 of the fianges 5l! are then crimped to anchor the reinforcing. member in place. Vertical members 54 of the bail are then inserted in the apertures 55 and to and moved therethrough and lugs 53 formed on the lower end of'said vertical members. The top spacer is now inserted between the side members 2Q and 2l with the tangs 5e extending through the slots 3l and the tangs are then tightly folded over and pressed into the outer faces of the sides 20 and 2| forming a depression therein whereby the tang does not project beyond the faces of the side. In the same manner the tangs at the ends of the top spacer 3 are inserted through the slots in the end portions and folded over to secure said top spacer to the said end portions. This forms the completed carrier as illustrated in Fig. l adapted to carry a plurality of bottles of beverage, the particular carrier illustrated being adapted for 6 bottles. The dimensions of the respective parts of the carrier are such that the bottles are substantially engaged by the flanges 50 in the top spacer and the fianges 3l and 33 on the side and end portions of the side members, the lower portions of the bottles being held against contact by engagement with the respective portions of the carrier and the bottom of each bottle will rest on the embossed portions 38 of the bottom 5.

It is believed obvious that I have provided a bottle holder and carrier of rigid structure, capable of holding a plurality of bottles which may be easily removed and inserted in said carrier and particularly adapted to fit in wooden cases for efficient use in automatic case unloaders and case loading machines, the telescopic bail and the associated carrier structure functioning with the case uploader machine to hold the carrier and facilitate the removal of the bottles. The bail also permits stacking of the carrier filled with bottles and provides efficient transportation of the carrier and bottles without danger of striking the hand on said bottles.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A bottle holder and carrier of the character described including a bottom, a central longitudinal rib on the bottom, end members on said bottom and extending upwardly therefrom, side members integral with the bottom and extending upwardly therefrom, end portions integral with the side members and extending laterally thereof to overlie the end members, said end portions having a plurality of slots therein, tangs on the end members extending through the slots in the end portions and flattened thereagainst for se curing said end members and end portions together, an upper spacer above the bottom and substantially parallel thereto, said upper spacer having a plurality of apertures for receiving and substantially engaging bottles, means for securing the upper spacer to the side members, tangs on the upper spacer extending through the slots in the end portions and folded thereover for securing said spacer thereto, and a bail for supporting the bottle carrier.

2. A :bottle holder and carrier of the character described including a bottom, end members on said bottom extending upwardly therefrom, .side members integral with the bottom and extending upwardly therefrom, end portions integral with the side members and extending laterally thereof in overlying relation to the end members, an upper spacer above the bottom, said upper spacer having a plurality of apertures for receiving and substantially engaging bottles, upwardly directed flanges at the sides and ends of the upper spacer, inwardly folded flanges on the upper edge of the side members and end portions thereof, said inwardly folded iianges overlying the flanges of the upper spacer, means for securing the upper spacer to the side members, means on the end members for securing the end portions thereto, a bail having a handle portion and spaced vertically arranged members, said upper spacer having spaced openings therein between the apertures to slidably mount the vertical members of the bail and provide spaced supports therefor whereby the bail may be moved toward the upper spacer to .position the handle of said bail below the top of the bottle for stacking said bottle carriers, and means on the vertical members of the bail for engagement with the upper spacer for supporting the bottle carrier when the bail is in its uppermost position.

3. A bottle holder and carrier of the character described including a bottom, end members on said bottom extending upwardly therefrom, side members integral with the bottom and extending upwardly therefrom, end portions integral with the side members and extending laterally thereof in overlying relation to the end members, an upper spacer above the bottom, said upper spacer having a plurality of apertures for receiving and substantially engaging bottles, upwardly directed flanges at the sides and ends of the upper spacer, inwardly folded flanges on the upper edge of the side members and end portions thereof, said inwardly folded flanges overlying the flanges of the upper spacer, means for securing the upper spacer to the side members, means on the end members for securing the end portions thereto, a bail having a handle portion and spaced vertically arranged members, said upper spacer having spaced openings therein between the apertures, a panel spaced from the upper spacer' and secured thereto, said panel having openings aligned with the opening of the upper spacer and co-operating therewith to slidably mount the vertical members of the bail and provide spaced supports therefor whereby the bail may be moved toward the upper spacer to position the handle of said bail below the top of the bottle for stacking said bottle carriers, and means on the vertical members of the bail for engagement with the panel for supporting the bottle carrier when the bail is in its uppermost position.

4. A bottle holder and carrier of the character described including a bottom, a central longitudinal rib on the bottom, end members integral with said bottom and extending upwardly therefrom, side members integral with the bottom and extending upwardly therefrom, end portions integral with the side members and extending laterally thereof in overlying relation to the end members, said end portions having a plurality of slots therein, an upper spacer above the bottom, said upper spacer having a plurality of apertures for receiving and substantially engaging bottles, upwardly directed anges at the sides and ends of the upper spacer, inwardly folded flanges 7 on the upper edge of the side members and end. portions thereof, said inwardly folded flanges overlying the anges of the upper spacer, means for securing the upper spacer to the side members, tangs in the end members extending through the slots in the end portions and folded thereover for securing same together, a bail having a handle portion and spaced vertically arranged members, said upper spacer having spaced opening therein between the apertures, a panel spaced from the upper spacer and secured thereto, said panel having openings aligned with the openings of the upper spacer and cooperating therewith to slidably mount the vertical members of the bail and provide spaced supports therefor whereby the bail may be moved toward the upper spacer 8 to position the handle of said bail below the top of the bottle for stacking said bottle carriers, and means on the vertical members of the bail for engagement with the panel for supporting the bottle carrier when the bail is in its uppermost position.

GRANT M. ACTON'.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,049,884 Wurster et al Aug. 4, 1936 2,446,161 Price July 27, 1948 

